There are many reasons for considering opening an overseas branch of a successful British school. There is demand from ex pat families who desire continuity of curriculum and language as well as demand from wealthy local families who want a learning approach and qualifications delivered to the highest British standards, to provide their children with the best opportunities to succeed in a global environment.

For schools considering expanding internationally there are various factors to consider before signing on the dotted line.

It is important to be clear about the core purpose of the proposed expansion.  What does the parent school want from the expansion? Is it to do with internationalism and broadening the reach of the School or is it to do with the financial returns? Whatever the motive, implementing the new school will be costly in terms of the time for Senior Leaders and the Governors.

Having decided to go ahead,  the Governors need to think through the vision for the new school.  How much will it be able to replicate the mother ship? As Jonathan Hughes D’Aeth, former Head of Repton Dubai, comments “translating the ethos of a school into a different cultural setting is challenging, especially when the new school maybe double the size, offer a different curriculum and be subject to local regulations which impose unique challenges to the running of a school.  At Repton we preserved the House system, the uniform and much of the educational ethos of the school but we had to recognise that we were operating in an Islamic culture and some adaptations had to be made to be locally compliant”.

Creating the right ownership model will be fundamental to success. Will the School provide the capital? If it is a private investor, what role will they play and how much say will they have in the running of the school?  It is important to be clear about the financial model and how the fee levels and overall size of the school will deliver the return on capital invested given the local regulations and prevailing market conditions.  Plus its crucial to understand the implications of the Opco/PropCo arrangements and their impact on the nature of the school and its governance.

The debate about curriculum is another factor; delivering the same curriculum as the parent school may make sense but is it practical and appropriate in a new country? As Jonathan Hughes D’Aeth comments “it is important to realise the impact of national requirements on curriculum content and to take account of any additional subjects which must be fitted into the timetable.  In the UAE compulsory Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies take up to 20% of curriculum time.”

Ultimately, a school is only as good as its leadership and its teachers, so recruiting and retaining staff who embody the vision of an expanding school is critical.  This challenge can be compounded by the fact that some countries operate their own teacher licensing regulations and Ministries may have final approval over who is appointed.  In addition, many countries will have quotas in place to ensure a percentage of the staff are hired from the local population.

Key to delivering and running a happy and successful ‘sister’ school is finding the right partner. One who you can trust and work with will be essential for a long lasting and successful relationship.  If this relationship works well, it will help yo ensure that the ethos of the school stays true to its original foundations whilst simultaneously securing its future viability.

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Parents embarking on a school search for the first time, quickly learn what a complex process it can be. Top of the considerations are often location, academic reputation and facilities; a school website or open day can be overwhelming with so many factors for parents to consider. With many first time buyers entering the market, parents cannot rely on their own experiences of independent school to inform their decision.

This is where the education consultant comes into their own. With vast experience of UK independent schools, their individual strengths and weaknesses, the consultant can help parents to clarify what is most important to them and identify the qualities in a school that would make it the best environment for their child to flourish in. Where a small setting may give the shy child an opportunity to shine brightly, it may not work for a talented sports player who needs lots of healthy competition to raise their game.

Whilst a successful placement will lead to satisfied parents, it also contributes to the long term well being of the child and their capacity to become fully involved in school life. A happy and engaged child is more likely to participate with enthusiasm and try new things, in and out of the classroom, making their time at the school fulfilling and their likelihood of remaining connected with the institution far greater. Parents know their child is in an environment that will nurture as well as motivate them and they are in turn more likely to recommend the school.

The sense of pride pupils have for the school creates a connected, rich seam of alumni loyal to the school and likely to consider it for their own children, when the time comes around. Pupils are more likely to forge friendships that last a lifetime and with international students attending UK independent schools in increasing numbers, they are never far from a fellow alumnus wherever they are in the world.

Alumni are extremely helpful in raising a school’s profile abroad and in most expat communities there will be alumni associations. Former pupils can be the best ambassadors for a school and can be powerful supporters for your upcoming pupil body by providing mentoring in life skills, employment guidance and job opportunities. The university destinations and career choices of the alumni are also a living demonstration of the possibilities of studying at their school. Staying in touch with their alumni will result in repeat business for the school, through the power of word of mouth. They can make perfect motivational guest speakers for your speech night. Ultimately they are a powerful marketing tool.

For education consultants keeping in touch with the alumni networks – from recent leavers to those becoming first time parents – is a vital resource of ‘inside information’ and keeps them abreast with the school’s current reputation. This in turn helps to fine tune their school searches to ensure they identify the right setting to fit every child’s learning style and individual needs.

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